FRONT PAGE BRIEFS

Cardinal answers Polish critics
CARDINAL WYSZYNSKI, the Polish Primate, last week defended a letter sent by Polish bishops to German bishops which has been attacked by the Polish Government. It said the former German Oder-Neisse territories were now a permanent part of Poland, and asked the German bishops to forgive and forget sins of the past on both sides.
Although his views coincide with the Polish Government stand on the Oder-Neisse territories, the Cardinal has been accused of usurping the rights of the Government to carry out foreign policy.
The Cardinal replied: "We did not interfere with the rights of the State. The writing of the letters to other bishops is our right. It is an old custom, starting with St. Peter and St. Paul, for churches to send letters to other churches."
The letter was one of 56 sent to German episcopates inviting them to attend celebrations in Poland next year of the country's 1,000 years of Christianity.
Freedom in Spain
Spain's bishops have called upon the Government to pass legislation in accordance with the Vatican Council's declaration on religious freedom, Initial Protestant reaction has been optimistic but cautious.
The Spanish hierarchy, con scious of the protests following last year's postponement of legislation pending the Council's religious liberty vote, has stated: "What matters now is to abide loyally by the doctrine proclaimed. It is the duty of everyone, and the Government especially, to protect the right of religious freedom, extending the common good to all".
Man of the Year
Pope Paul will be cited as "Man of the Month" and "Man of the Year" on Sunday in a special edition of the CBS television series, "The Twentieth Century".
In announcing the half-hour
programme, CBS said it was in recognition of the successful conclusion of the Vatican Council and the Pope's peace mission to the United Nations in October.
Orders to confer
Some 90 representatives of men's religious orders in Britain are to gather for a conference at St. Joseph's College, Mill Hill in January to work out how best they can renew religious studies in the seminaries along the lines laid down by Vatican II.
DR. ALLISON AT VATICAN The Anglican Bishop of Winchester, Dr. Falkner Allison, was received by Pope Paul last week.